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Ramsey Report: The Return Of Clint Dempsey
The midfielder will be on the bench for Fulham’s Europa League clash with Juventus on Thursday.
Mar 11, 2010 12:43:00 PM
By Allen Ramsey
It’s been almost two months since we’ve seen Clint Dempsey on the pitch. It might actually be over two months between matches if he doesn’t make it into tonight’s match against Juventus or on the field for Fulham’s showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Either way, it’s clear that the American winger is nearing full fitness and should be back on the pitch soon.
That may be a scary proposition for those who have to face Fulham in the near future.
Before being sidelined in January, Dempsey had poured in six goals in 20 Premier League matches, putting him among the top three midfielders in the league in terms of goals scored. His strike against Stoke City lit up the Internet and should be in the running for Goal of the Year in the EPL. In other words, the injury put a halt to what was turning out to be a banner year for the USA star.
Beyond that, Dempsey, along with forward Bobby Zamora and midfielder Damien Duff, were helping keep afloat a Fulham side that was riddle with injuries. Midfielders Danny Murphy, Simon Daives, and Dickson Etuhu, striker Andy Johnson, and defenders Paul Konchesky and John Pantsil all missed significant amounts of time, with Johnson, Pantsil, and Konchesky (who should be back soon) all still nursing long-term injuries.
Just before Dempsey went down the rest of the midfield started to get healthy. Murphy and Etuhu are back patrolling the middle of the park and Davies has slotted back in on the wing vacated by the American’s injury.
As a result of the new found health and a fairly tame set of matches in the league, the Cottagers have gone on a nice run of form to keep the team within striking distance of another top eight finish. The run also pushed the club into the final 16 of the Europa League and the quarterfinals of the FA Cup where they face a replay against Tottenham.
It’s an ideal position for Dempsey to return to after a layoff. With fixtures coming thick and fast (how’s this for a five game run in the next two weeks: Juventus, Manchester United, Juventus, Manchester City, Tottenham) Dempsey’s return will be a welcome boost to a group of players who have already had to fight through a congested fixture list to get to this point. And honestly, when he is fully fit, his spot on the pitch shouldn’t be in question.
Despite good form, Fulham are struggling to find goals from anyone other than Zamora or Duff. Since Dempsey’s injury they’ve scored only 16 goals in 10 matches (all competitions), a stat that is inflated by a 3-0 win over hapless Burnley and a 4-0 FA Cup result over lower division side Notts County. To further illustrate the point, even after the two month layoff Dempsey could still end up leading the team in league scoring for the third straight season- he’s two goals back of Zamora’s 8, tied with Duff.
On top of that, with any luck Dempsey will get the rare chance (for an American) to face one of Italy’s traditional powerhouses in a European knockout stage. Sadly, that’s about as close to World Cup pressure and quality as an USA player will get to be involved with before June.
It’s good news for USA and Fulham fans that Dempsey will be back on the pitch sooner rather than later, and it’s time for some people across the pond to take notice. Landon Donovan may be leaving Everton soon, but the USA’s other top threat is about to be back in action.
Allen Ramsey is an associate editor of Goal.com USA. Ramsey Report runs every Thursday on Goal.com.
That may be a scary proposition for those who have to face Fulham in the near future.
Before being sidelined in January, Dempsey had poured in six goals in 20 Premier League matches, putting him among the top three midfielders in the league in terms of goals scored. His strike against Stoke City lit up the Internet and should be in the running for Goal of the Year in the EPL. In other words, the injury put a halt to what was turning out to be a banner year for the USA star.
Beyond that, Dempsey, along with forward Bobby Zamora and midfielder Damien Duff, were helping keep afloat a Fulham side that was riddle with injuries. Midfielders Danny Murphy, Simon Daives, and Dickson Etuhu, striker Andy Johnson, and defenders Paul Konchesky and John Pantsil all missed significant amounts of time, with Johnson, Pantsil, and Konchesky (who should be back soon) all still nursing long-term injuries.
Just before Dempsey went down the rest of the midfield started to get healthy. Murphy and Etuhu are back patrolling the middle of the park and Davies has slotted back in on the wing vacated by the American’s injury.
As a result of the new found health and a fairly tame set of matches in the league, the Cottagers have gone on a nice run of form to keep the team within striking distance of another top eight finish. The run also pushed the club into the final 16 of the Europa League and the quarterfinals of the FA Cup where they face a replay against Tottenham.
It’s an ideal position for Dempsey to return to after a layoff. With fixtures coming thick and fast (how’s this for a five game run in the next two weeks: Juventus, Manchester United, Juventus, Manchester City, Tottenham) Dempsey’s return will be a welcome boost to a group of players who have already had to fight through a congested fixture list to get to this point. And honestly, when he is fully fit, his spot on the pitch shouldn’t be in question.
Despite good form, Fulham are struggling to find goals from anyone other than Zamora or Duff. Since Dempsey’s injury they’ve scored only 16 goals in 10 matches (all competitions), a stat that is inflated by a 3-0 win over hapless Burnley and a 4-0 FA Cup result over lower division side Notts County. To further illustrate the point, even after the two month layoff Dempsey could still end up leading the team in league scoring for the third straight season- he’s two goals back of Zamora’s 8, tied with Duff.
On top of that, with any luck Dempsey will get the rare chance (for an American) to face one of Italy’s traditional powerhouses in a European knockout stage. Sadly, that’s about as close to World Cup pressure and quality as an USA player will get to be involved with before June.
It’s good news for USA and Fulham fans that Dempsey will be back on the pitch sooner rather than later, and it’s time for some people across the pond to take notice. Landon Donovan may be leaving Everton soon, but the USA’s other top threat is about to be back in action.
Allen Ramsey is an associate editor of Goal.com USA. Ramsey Report runs every Thursday on Goal.com.
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